Gyanvapi Row: Muslim Side Convenes Crucial Meeting Over Supreme Court's Mediation Suggestion

Varanasi: Fresh efforts are underway to seek an out-of-court resolution in the Kashi Vishwanath-Gyanvapi case. Acting on the Supreme Court's recommendation for mediation, representatives of the Muslim side are set to hold a key meeting on Monday to chart the next course of discussions. While the meeting will focus on advancing the dialogue process, any settlement will ultimately depend on the consent of all concerned parties.

Why did the stir increase after the Supreme Court's initiative?

During the recent hearing, the Supreme Court had indicated that solutions to some of the major religious disputes in the country can also be found through mutual dialogue. After this, discussion started on the possibility of dialogue between the two parties in the Gyanvapi case also. The court did not force any party to negotiate but said that the option of mediation should be kept open if an agreement is reached.

What will happen in the meeting of the Muslim side?

Representatives from the Muslim side and related organisations will meet on Monday to decide the future strategy. The meeting will discuss whether to join the negotiation process or not and if so, then under what conditions it should proceed. The Muslim side will clarify its formal stand only after the meeting.

What does the Hindu side have to say?

The Hindu side associated with the Gyanvapi complex says that it is ready for every constitutional option along with the ongoing hearing in the court. However, the final decision regarding negotiations will depend on the consent and conditions of all concerned parties. At present no official announcement of any agreement has been made by either party.

What will happen next now?

After the outcome of the meeting of the Muslim side, it will be clear whether any concrete initiative is taken towards dialogue to resolve the dispute or the matter will proceed completely through the judicial process. At present, various cases related to Gyanvapi controversy are pending in the courts and their hearing is going on as per rules.

Now everyone's eyes are fixed on the outcome of the meeting because it will decide whether a new path of negotiation emerges in this decades-old dispute or the matter will proceed completely under the court process.